Ashley Callingbull signs prestigious contract with Next Models
(ANNews) – Ashley Callingbull has been snapped up by a top modelling agency.
The fashion industry traditionally lacks representation of Indigenous people in fashion shows and magazines but in recent years there has been a push for representation of diversity across turtle island.
Alberta's very own Cree beauty from Enoch Cree Nation is leading the way in representing Cree women in Canadian fashion.
Callingbull recently signed a prestigious contract with Next Models. This new endeavor places her amongst the top brass of Canadian female models. The major Canadian agency represents top international models like Crista Cober, Jenna Earle, Kim Cloutier, and Yasmin Warsame.
Referring to signing with NEXT modeling, former Mrs. Universe said, "I never thought I would see it."
Callingbull explained it was her 2021 September Cover for Fashion Magazine and the success that followed its release that got her the attention of Canada's top modeling agency.
In Fashion Magazine, Callingbull was able to shed light on the trauma caused by Canada's residential schools system on her Cree family and from her grandparent's perspective.
The overall photoshoot for Fashion Magazine showcased Indigenous representation, from featuring Ashley on the cover, right down to the outfits by Angela DeMontigny, a top Canadian fashion designer of Cree-Métis heritage, and earrings by Warren Steven Scott, an Indigenous queer male from Nlaka'pamux.
"Because of the success, I ended up being signed by Next Models. It's such a huge organization to be a part of. I'm excited," said Callingbull.
"I've been modeling for a long time. I started way back in the day when we first met (referring to the author of this article) at Western Canada Fashion Week."
Callingbull said those early experiences at Western Canada Fashion Week exposed her to the world of fashion.
According to the WFCW website, "they were established in 2003 and have developed into nationally recognized fashion and design events and the second largest fashion week in Canada."
Callingbull has come a long way since those days at WCFW.
She shared a personal story about when she realized her star was rising in Canada. "I did my first billboard which was for the Hillberg & Berk, a major Canadian jewelry company. I was driving in downtown Toronto with my sister, and she pointed out the billboard. My sister told me I looked powerful and strong. Hearing that from my younger sister meant a lot."
She explained Indigenous women "are looking at my billboard in Toronto and seeing what's possible. This is why representation matters because it helps Indigenous youth dream of possibilities."
Callingbull opened up about her battle with shyness and being insecure as an Indigenous youth. "I used to be that insecure girl from the reserve," she said. "When I was growing up there wasn't anyone who was chasing the things that I wanted to chase.
"I was this little insecure girl that didn't have dreams.
"I've grown, I've evolved; I've grown to love and respect myself for the way the Creator made me."
Her advice to youth is that they should surround themselves with positivity. The people in your life do have an impact on whether you are successful or not.
(2012) Canada's first and largest LGBTQ march called Hate to Hope. Callingbull came out to support her friend Chevi Rabbit. Photo Soko Fotohaus.
"Who you surround yourself with really determines where you're going to go in life," said Callingbull. "I believe if you surround yourself with positive people that want to uplift you and who focus on what's best for you and they bring out the best in you as a person, they are your true friends," said Callingbull.
She said stay away from toxic people who only want to bring you down; try to use you; take you away from your goals or live for the moment. "For example, stay away from people that say let's go party instead of focusing on school."
"Ask yourself how is that going to amplify my life? How is that going to better me as a person? "Those are things that you need to think about in regards to your future," she added.
Callingbull can't stress enough the importance of creating circles of friends who are supportive if you aim to be successful in this life.
She has been able to create a positive support team around her that pushes her to excel at her dreams and aspirations.
"I've completely changed, I've grown and I'm excited to see who I'm going to become in the future," said Callingbull.
Callingbull is currently dating former professional hockey centre Wacey Rabbit, a member of the Blood Tribe.
Check out the full video interview with Ashley Callingbull on Facebook/Alberta Native News.
Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News
Meat Loaf, the heavyweight rock superstar loved by millions for his "Bat Out of Hell" album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)," has died. The singer born Marvin Lee Aday died Thursday, according to a family statement posted on his official Facebook page. "Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight," the statement said.
The top diplomats of Russia and the United States are holding crucial talks on Friday as a weeks-long standoff over Ukraine teeters on the cusp of a pivotal and potentially violent phase, with rising concerns that Europe may again be beset by war. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are meeting in Geneva, once a key Cold War crossroads, trying to avert a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine amid Moscow's demands for concessions from NATO over its relationship with the former Soviet republic. Blinken on Thursday played down any prospects of an immediate fix in the Geneva talks, which are set to run about two hours, saying resolving the difficult issues "won't happen quickly" – and emphasizing that he doesn't expect a resolution on Friday.
The tranquil resort in Tonga sat behind a lagoon and reef break that was perfect for snorkelers and surfers alike. Guests who had never met before would sit together to eat delicious communal meals cooked by owner Moana Paea and her staff, or relax in rustic cabins tucked in the trees.
Tinder charges more for young gays, lesbians and the over-30s, says Which?
Dating app Tinder is charging young gay and lesbian users and people over 30 more for its premium service, suggesting possible discrimination and a breach of UK law, according to an investigation by watchdog Which? The investigation watchdog asked almost 200 mystery shoppers to create real profiles and make a note of prices quoted for Tinder Plus, a premium package with perks such as unlimited "Likes" and "Rewinds" and the ability to undo accidental selections.
Meat Loaf: US 'Bat out of Hell' singer dies, aged 74
US singer Meat Loaf, whose hits included Bat Out of Hell, has died aged 74, a statement on his official Facebook page said. "Bat Out of Hell" remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all of all time. The star, born Michael Lee Aday, gained worldwide fame with his debut 1977 rock album, Bat Out of Hell.


Steve Helber/AP Photo
Opposing CDC Guidance, Ron Johnson Questions Need For Broad Vaccine Push
Republican Senator Says Vaccination Effort Should Have Been 'Limited' To Vulnerable
By Rob Mentzer
Friday, April 23, 2021, 12:45pm
Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine should have been "limited," undermining a national push to end the pandemic.
Johnson made the comments to radio host Vicki McKenna, a vaccine skeptic who has been opposed to pandemic restrictions and has often cast doubt on the seriousness of COVID-19.
"We probably should have limited the distribution to the vulnerable," Johnson said in the radio interview. Referring to the fact that young people are less at risk from the disease, he said, "I see no reason to be pushing vaccines on people."
Johnson's comments go against the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local health authorities. The national push to develop a safe, effective vaccine and make it available to virtually all adults started under former President Donald Trump and has continued under President Joe Biden.
The benefit of vaccinating broadly in the community is "herd immunity," which is when so many people are immune from the virus that it cannot easily spread within communities. Scientists estimate that around 70 percent of the United States population will need to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity and end the pandemic.
As of Friday afternoon, 91.2 million people in the U.S., or 27.5 percent of the total population, have been fully vaccinated.
Johnson, a former plastics company executive with no medical background, denied in the interview that vaccinating a broad swath of the population should be a priority.
"If you have a vaccine, quite honestly, what do you care if your neighbor has one or not?" Johnson said. "What is it to you?"
Johnson's comments come as Wisconsin has administered more than 4 million doses of vaccine, with about 30 percent of the population fully vaccinated. But there are signs that demand for vaccines is beginning to drop off, and public opinion polls have shown Republican men are the demographic group most likely to say they won't get vaccinated.
It's also the latest example of Johnson, who had COVID-19 in October, expressing skepticism about the national vaccination effort. In March, he told an interviewer that he had declined to get vaccinated because he had been infected. That goes against CDC recommendations. Earlier in the pandemic, he repeatedly expressed opposition to public health restrictions and federal economic responses.
His comments in the Thursday interview with McKenna were framed around his opposition to "vaccine passports," or a document verifying a person's vaccination status. Many Republicans oppose the idea, and it has not gotten much traction nationally or at the state level. Johnson said he is "highly suspicious of what's happening here" and said he would "vigorously resist" the notion. Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin also sought to ban vaccine passports. Unlike some other Republican leaders, though, Johnson did not limit his remarks to the vaccine passports but went on to question the vaccination efforts themselves.
Johnson is not the only Wisconsin Republican to court controversy by speaking against those efforts.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Burlington, this week posted a message on Facebook that appeared to mock pro-vaccine messages. In March, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, said at a town hall meeting that he had encouraged his adult daughters not to get vaccinated.
In a statement Friday to WPR, Johnson repeated some of the comments he made to McKenna and said whether or not young and healthy people should be encouraged to be vaccinated was a "legitimate question."
In response to Johnson's comments, the Wisconsin Democratic Party said Johnson "is a conspiracy theorist who has proven time and again that he'll put his extremism over the people of Wisconsin."
Johnson is up for reelection in 2022. The race has already attracted several Democratic candidates, including state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry and Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson. Johnson hasn't said whether he will run for a third term.
GOP Men Are Most Likely To Say They'll Refuse COVID-19 Vaccine
Health Experts, Officials Slam Ron Johnson Over COVID-19 Vaccine Assertions
Johnson: Hospitals overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients 'doesn't mean there's some massive crisis'
Wisconsin Congressman Tiffany Says He Advised His Adult Daughters Against Getting COVID-19 Vaccine
Efforts To Step Up Vaccinations For Youth After 'Wave' Of Enthusiasm Dies Down


Lockdown Forever!
Channel Migrant Crisis
Majority of Greeks Unhappy with EU Response to Hagia Sofia Mosque Conversion
ismail bayar / iStock / Getty Images Plus
A majority of Greeks have expressed dissatisfaction with the international response to the Turkish regime announcing it would be converting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
A poll, released by the Thessaloniki-based Vergina television station, has revealed that 87 per cent of Greeks are disappointed in the European Union's reaction to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's move to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
The majority, 53 per cent, also said the Greek government should have done more on the issue, while 77 per cent disapproved of Russia's stance on the matter, Proto Thema reports.
Russia, like Greece, has a large Orthodox Church population and the Hagia Sophia, the largest church not just in Orthodoxy but in all Christendom until the violent conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) by the Ottoman Turks, has major religious and cultural significance.
Turkish Islamic Conservatives Win: Hagia Sophia Cleared to Become a Mosque Again https://t.co/I7DYeSPja9
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) July 10, 2020
When it comes to how to respond to Erdogan's actions, 68 per cent of Greeks said financial sanctions would be appropriate, while 28 per cent said they felt nothing would stop the Islamist leader.
Meanwhile, the poll found that 40 per cent of Greeks would be open to converting the house in Greece where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, into a museum of the "Genocide of Hellenism".
55 per cent disagreed with such a move, however.
The Greek government expressed opposition to converting the Hagia Sophia earlier this month, with government spokesman Stelios Petsas saying the move would strain relations between Christians and Turkey.
Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic church, also came out against the conversion, saying "My thoughts go to Istanbul. I think of Santa Sophia and I am very pained."
He also wrote a letter to Erdogan expressing "grief and dismay."
Israeli Researchers: Turkey's Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian Christians Destroyed by '30-year Genocide' https://t.co/aRjCReVK4W
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 19, 2019
Follow Chris Tomlinson on Twitter at @TomlinsonCJ or email at ctomlinson(at)breitbart.com
Israel / Middle EastLondon / EuropePoliticsChristendomChristianityConstantinopleCulture ClashEUEuropean UnionGreeceGreek Orthodox ChurchHagia SophiaimperialismIslamIslamisationIslamismIstanbulOrthodox ChristianityOrthodox ChristiansRecep Tayyip ErdoganTurkey